Human papilloma virus is associated with breast cancer

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There is increasing evidence that high-risk human papilloma virus (HPV) is involved in cancers in addition to cervical cancer. For example, it is generally accepted that HPV has a role in a significant proportion of head and neck tumours, and it has long been hypothesised that hormone dependent oncogenic viruses, such as HPV may have causal roles in some human breast cancers. A number of reports have identified HPV DNA in breast tissue and breast cancer specimens, but these rely on standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which is criticised for its propensity for contamination. METHODS: We have used two different technologies, in situ and standard PCR (with sequencing), and histology based on light microscopy. RESULTS: We unambiguously demonstrate the presence of high-risk HPV in the cells of breast cancer specimens and breast cancer cell lines. In addition, we also show that the oncogenic characteristics of HPV associated breast cancer are very similar to HPV-associated cervical cancer. Specifically, that putative koilocytes are present in some HPV associated breast cancers. INTERPRETATION: The above observations indicate a likely causal role for high-risk HPV in human breast cancer and offer the possibility of primary prevention of some breast cancers by vaccination against HPV.

Limited evidence of human papillomavirus on breast tissue using molecular in situ methods

“…Only 1 previous study used IS-PCR, which involves amplification, to detect HPV in breast tissue. 7 Those investigators reported that 8 of 31 (31%) breast carcinoma specimens were positive for oncogenic HPV. Seven of these harbored HPV-18, and only 1 of 31 (3.2%) harbored HPV-16.…”

“…In situ molecular methods were used in only 4 studies that investigated the presence of HPV in breast tissues. 4,5,7,8 Three of those studies compared solution PCR and in situ methods for the same set of specimens and identified oncogenic HPV in mammary epithelium of only 4 of 34 (12%) of the collective total, as opposed to 34 of 110 (22%) using standard or nested solution PCR. This raises the possibility that many of the positive results obtained by solution PCR may have been caused by contamination or by the presence of HPV in nonmammary epithelial cell types.…”

Reply to Letter to the Editor : Is HPV-18 present in human breast cancer cell lines

“…Only three of six MDA-MB-175VII clones isolated apparently contained HPV as indicated by the successful amplification of the L1 region by nested PCR and by in situ PCR as per Heng et al (2009). Interestingly, the HPV-containing clones grew faster than the clones without amplifiable HPV.…”

“…In response to the lack of detection of HPV in MDA-MB-175VII and SK-Br-3 cell lines, we note that the authors have not followed the methods as set out (Heng et al, 2009). Critically, Peran et al (2010) relied on single rounds of standard and reverse transcription (RT) -PCR.…”

“…We reported the amplification of the L1 region by PCR using nested primers (MY/GP) from DNA isolated from both MDA-MB-175VII and SK-Br-3 cell lines (Heng et al, 2009). This product was also sequenced to confirm the identity of HPV-18.…”